新奇事件簿 头部移植有望在十年后实现

It is either science fiction or a plot from a horror movie, but a neurosurgeon said head transplants could be possible by the year 2030. Transplant surgery has come on leaps and bounds in the last few decades. Organ transplants are commonplace and this past decade has seen face transplants. The next decade could see whole heads being transplanted. Neurosurgeon Bruce Mathew explained why he believes this is possible. He was actually working with author Michael J Lee on a science fiction novel. He said: "Initially¹, our intention was just to brainstorm² an idea and it seemed rather silly, but then I realised, it actually isn't. If you transplant the brain and spinal³ cord together, it's not impossible."

头部移植，这要么是科幻小说，要么是恐怖电影里的情节，但一位神经外科医生表示，到2030年，这将成为可能。移植手术在过去的几十年里有了长足的发展。器官移植很常见，在过去的十年里也出现了面部移植。在接下来的十年里还可能有头部移植。神经外科医生布鲁斯·马修解释了为什么他认为这是可能的。事实上，他在与科幻小说作家Michael J Lee合作他表示：“起初，我们的目的只是头脑风暴一个想法，而且这个想法很傻，但后来我意识到，其实并不傻。如果你同时移植大脑和脊髓，这不是不可能的。”

Doctor Matthew, 63, has performed over 10,000 operations. He claims that head transplants would only be possible if the head was accompanied by the whole of its spinal cord. Advancements⁴ in nerve and spinal cord surgery, robotics and stem cell transplants mean it could be possible to attach an entire spinal cord and head to another body before 2030. Dr Matthew continued: "The thought of keeping the spinal cord in one piece has always been totally daunting⁵, but now with modern technology you can do most things." Matthew also believes that consciousness would also move with the head and spinal cord from one body to another. The technology could treat spinal cord injuries and diseases like muscular dystrophy.

63岁的马修医生已经做了1万多场手术。他声称，只有将整个脊髓和头部一起移植，头部移植才有可能实现。神经和脊髓手术、机器人技术和干细胞移植方面的进展意味着在2030年之前，将整个脊髓和头移植到另一个身体上是可能的。马修医生还说道：“将脊髓完整保留的想法总是让人望而生畏，但是有了现代科技，大部分都是可以实现的。”马修还认为意识也会随着头部和脊髓从一个身体移动到另一个身体。这项技术可以治疗脊髓损伤和肌肉萎缩症等疾病。

1 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

2 brainstorm   

vi.动脑筋，出主意，想办法，献计，献策

参考例句：

• The women meet twice a month to brainstorm and set business goals for each other.她们每个月聚会两次，在一起出谋献策，为各自制定生意目标。
• We can brainstorm a list of the most influential individuals in the company.我们可以集体讨论，列出该公司中最有影响的人员的名单。

3 spinal   

adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的

参考例句：

• After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
• Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。

4 advancements   

n.（级别的）晋升( advancement的名词复数 )；前进；进展；促进

参考例句：

• Today, the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements. 当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Great advancements in drought prediction have been made in recent years. 近年来，人们对干旱灾害的预报研究取得了长足的进步。 来自互联网

5 daunting   

adj.使人畏缩的

参考例句：

• They were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house.他们面临着修复房子的艰巨任务。
• Starting a new job can be a daunting prospect.开始一项新工作有时会让人望而却步。